Monday, 26 October 2015

Player Ratings: Liverpool F.C. vs Southampton F.C. - 1-1

Jürgen Klopp’s first game at Anfield in the Premier League. That alone should have
been a cause for celebration among many Reds aficionados. The result? Slightly
disappointing. Even more so, considering the Reds weren’t too far away from
securing three points. However, to say Southampton didn’t deserve a point would
be an unfair statement. You could define Liverpool’s performance as lacklustre
throughout parts of the match and until Christian Benteke was introduced at
half-time, the Reds didn’t look likely. At times, Southampton looked threatening
going forward on the break, but they too were also lacklustre throughout parts
of the match.

If it’s one thing Liverpool supporters will have learnt over the last
three games it’s this: the current situation requires time. This is no quick
fix and Jürgen Klopp knows this as good as any other person.

I can’t emphasise the next two points enough. Patience. Solidarity; the
principles this club was built on are now required more than ever. Don’t worry
about the noise outside; the overwrought social media commentary, not to
mention the drama of the written word from a section of so called football
“experts”. These facets which encompass the hysteria of modern day football
should be curtailed by our club’s principles. Things will turn. We just need to
keep strong and think of two things. Patience. Solidarity.

Ratings as follows:

Simon
Mignolet - 6: Despite a brief wobble with his distribution in the
first half along with one save from Virgil Van Dijk, it was another quiet
evening for the Belgium. He did his best to keep out Sadio Mane’s equaliser,
but it was beyond him.

Nathaniel
Clyne - 6: Solid and dependable throughout. I get the feeling Klopp will want a bit
more from him in the attacking third, but his defensive capabilities are
undoubted.

Martin
Skrtel - 6: Made several timely interventions, in particular one glancing header
which kept the ball from falling to Graziano Pelle. Arguably his best game
under the new regime.

Mamadou
Sakho - 7: His impressive form continues. Largely untroubled and won majority of his
aerial duals with conviction. Struggled to get into the match-day squad under
Brendan Rodgers, now arguably the first name on the team-sheet.

Alberto
Moreno- 7: Another great display from the young Spaniard. His tackle on Mane will
dominate many a highlight reel. His incursions in the final third will be a
welcome sight, despite the fact they failed to impact on the score sheet.

Lucas
– 7 (Man of the Match): Liverpool’s best player. Won countless tackles
in the centre of midfield. Provided he can continue to stay fit, will be a
permanent fixture in the midfield under Klopp, who evidently holds a great deal
of trust in the Brazilian.

Emre
Can - 6: Provided plenty of industry, but lacked creativity. His best work was
done off the ball and not on it. Will look for further improvement.

James
Milner (C) - 6:
Another up and down display from the England International. Provided a superb
cross for Benteke’s opener, but then gave away a needless free kick which led
to Southampton’s equaliser.

Adam
Lallana - 6: Tidy
display from a player who – despite what some may suggest – continues to improve
under new management. You feel he just needs a goal to really kick on from
here.

Philippe
Coutinho - 6: By his standards, the little Brazilian was poor.
Gave away the ball in key areas of the pitch and was lucky his mistakes were
not punished by Southampton on the counter attack. If Liverpool are to
recapture their attacking zest, his form needs to improve. Benteke in front of
him will help his cause.

Divock
Origi - 5: Poor. Three games in eight days appeared too much for the
young Belgium, who - simply put - wasn’t at the races. Substituted at half-time.

Substitutes:

Christian
Benteke - 7: An imposing introduction,
putting himself about from the opening whistle in the second half. Capped off
the game with a header of world-class quality. Scorer of great goals and a great goal
scorer? Time will tell, but the signs look positive for the man known as Big
Ben. The big question is his long-term fitness.

Roberto
Firmino - 6: An encouraging cameo from the Brazilian. Looked very
bright with the ball in tight areas. A shoe in to start in the League Cup
against Bournemouth in midweek. Could very well start at Stamford Bridge on
Saturday, too.

Jordan
Ibe- N/R: Introduced late in an attempt to hit Southampton on the counter. Won a
corner, but didn’t have time to provide much else.By Simon K.